Gum Disease and Gingivitis

November 27, 2017
By
Dr. Julio

Share

Gum Inflammation and Gum Infection Can Lead to Gum Disease

Red and bleeding gums can be an early sign of gum disease. This is a warning
sign your body gives you to let you know something is wrong or out of
balance. If you ignore these signs, the condition could worsen leading
to gum infection and gum disease.

What is Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an early sign of gum disease. The first part of the word
Gingiv-, means gums. The last part of the word –itis, stands for inflammation. Therefore, the term gingivitis means inflammation
of the gums.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Red and bleeding gums are only a couple symptoms related to gum disease.
Other symptoms include: swelling, bad breath or halitosis, receding gums,
pain or discomfort, and ulcerations. These gum disease symptoms can be
easily avoided by following some simple rules.

First make sure you are brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice
a day. Make sure your toothbrush reaches every surface of every tooth.
Flossing is also critically important because the bristles of the toothbrush
cannot reach in between the teeth. Flossing at least once a day will keep
food from building up between your teeth and reduce the risk of gum disease.
Finally, be sure to visit your dental hygienist at least twice a year.
Regular maintenance of your dental cleanings is important to remove the
tartar build up that you cannot remove with brushing and flossing alone.

Gingivitis Can Lead to Periodontitis

If your gingivitis is ignored or left untreated, the inflammation will
get worse. The bacteria that cause the inflammation will hide themselves
underneath your gums making them difficult to remove. The acids from the
bacteria will cause further inflammation and bleeding and eventually lead
to bone loss around teeth and future tooth loss. Early signs of bone loss
around teeth are the first symptoms of
periodontitis.

Schedule a Regular Hygiene Maintenance Appointment

If is imperative that your dental hygienist help keep your gums healthy
and monitor any changes in your gum health. The dental hygienist works
closely with the doctor to develop a treatment plan to treat your unique
condition. Not all
dental cleanings are the same. Each dental cleaning should be customized to your specific
needs at any given time.

Call us here at Biscayne Wellness Center in Miami to schedule a new patient
appointment. We look forward to helping you get your gums back to health.
Call us at our Edgewater Miami location at (305) 224-1138.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as medical advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship.